Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Ukiriguru Center has come out with a Planting Machine Technology known as Rafiki Planter. The planter is for planting Cotton seeds and other crop seeds such as Maize.  The has been modified from the original planter which was hand or animal power pulled and now it has been motorized by  by installing a 6.5 Hp engine. 

Rafiki Planter now can plant one hectare within half to one hour using one to two liters of Petrol. Previously Farmers used to spend eight to nine hours in one hectare using seven to eight laborers with an estimated cost of Tsh. 45,000-50,000 per area.

The invention of Rafiki Planter technology is the result of the efforts of two researchers from TARI Ukiriguru Center Mr. Robert Cheleo and Mr. Dauson Malela under the supervision of Director of the Center Dr. Paul Saidia who designed the machine to help farmers improve cotton production.

The machine designed in 2022 received financial support to further improve it from the Tanzania Commission for Science  and Technology (COSTECH) that led to the current status of the machine. The machine is readily for farmers use.